Reflecting on a Week of Game Development by The Bay: GDC 2022 Takeaways

As we return to “normal” routines after a busy week at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on trending topics and discussions that stood out at this year’s show. As the world’s longest-running event for professionals dedicated to making games, it was great to connect in person at GDC with fellow members of the gaming development community. This year’s show organizers did not hold back on content and programming and did a good job ensuring we all felt safe and remained healthy.

Embracing five days of jam-packed networking and education, I left the conference with information-overload (in a good way) and full of inspiration (maybe sore feet too). From design and programming to diversity and inclusion, to the Metaverse and beyond, here are a few of my personal takeaways from GDC:

• Designing and Programming for F2P Mobile Games – There were a range of sessions focused on designing and programming to tell a story, as well as designing and content catering to the varying free to play game player segments (minnows, dolphins and whales). As more and more social and casual users take up mobile gaming, it is critically important to put time into game design that is focused on getting players invested in the game through creative features, social engagement and connection to charitable causes. At AviaGames we have an incredibly talented in-house development team that is dedicated to bringing new and engaging content programming to a broader audience with the goal of attracting and keeping players entertained.?
• Success Requires Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – There was a good amount of conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion at this year’s event. The industry has made large strides in recent years when it comes to breaking stereotypes and advocating inclusion for all. There has been more effort across industry events – including GDC – and within business models to encourage more diversity. As a female entrepreneur in what was originally a primarily male-dominated industry,? I am passionate about this topic and support the larger gaming industry and community keeping it top-of-mind and a priority for fostering inclusivity.?
• From AR and VR to The Metaverse – I was not surprised to see an influx of conversation around augmented reality and virtual reality and the Metaverse. There’s no denying the larger craving for richer virtual experiences is a high demand in gaming, driving an increased focus on the Metaverse across the landscape. While the transition to a comprehensive Metaverse is far off, we will continue to see a lot of discussion and innovation surrounding the merging of physical and digital within the gaming ecosystem and with the accessibility offered by mobile games, they are primed for the future Metaverse.?
• Love and Hate for NFTs – I can’t close out my event takeaways without mentioning nonfungible tokens. This is a hot topic of debate on and off the showroom floor. While some game developers are passionate supporters of NFTs, some certainly are not fans. It is interesting to hear from both sides of the spectrum. As a co-founder of a mobile gaming company, I see potential for faster adoption in this space with an audience that is already used to digital currency. On the other hand, I can understand the frustration in other applications, where users are not as familiar and may not grasp the concept as seamlessly.?

As the industry innovates and evolves, I appreciate opportunities where we can learn from one another and continue to drive the gaming industry forward together. I look forward to seeing everyone at GDC 2023!